I had a really frustrating week at my placement. My main issue is that I am not treated like a member of the team - more like an outsider who can do gopher odd jobs. When I raised the issue with my boss (who is also supposed to serve as a mentor!) she didn't listen to what I was saying and told me that if I was overwhelmed she could take something from me. I was trying to say that I felt precisely the opposite. Since it takes a lot for me to yell at someone, especially a superior, I instead just started crying when I was angry, which frustrated me even more. It sucked. The next day, after one of the most unproductive staff meetings I have *ever* attended, I got into a verbal tiff with a nurse who made some outrageous claims about our patients and "the poor" in general (basically, they are leeches, they will always be leeches and I don't know anything because I haven't been in this community long enough to know any better.)
There are a few good things that happened this week at work. We are doing a "biggest loser" competition (individual loss and team loss) and my team is kicking butt and I kind of am too. Also, witnessing my being upset and actually listening to what I said in our staff meeting about what my role is, a few women I work with gave me some encouraging words. One of them is the community outreach coordinator, who also proposed an option for a long-term project with her.
I'm not giving up on this place yet, but I can't say that I'm feeling good about it or that I'm looking forward to going in tomorrow morning (or any day, ever.) Blah!
ALL THAT SAID, I do feel like I'm building a pretty solid, supportive and fun community outside of that placement. I hung out with a lot of new people on both Thursday and Friday and yesterday my housemates and I had people over for a mostly-vegan potluck that was a huge success. Highlights included mashed sweet potatoes with coconut milk, my cornbread casserole that I am close to perfecting, spinach lasagna, chili, mashed parsley potatoes, kale, mixed veggie pasta, varieties of hummus, and more. YUM! Some of my AC friends came as well as an acquaintance from IU and some of my housemates buddies too. To me, there's just not a lot that beats friends coming together over homemade food. Amen.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Spoon
I have been a Spoon fan since it was introduced to me my sophomore year of high school.
On long drives to and from school when I transferred to Harmony I would bop along to Kill the Moonlight. The summer after graduation when David and I first moved in together we would do dishes and listen to Gimme Fiction. I was a little disappointed with Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, but I knew (esp. after that Daytrotter sesh [with a Paul Simon cover ?!?]) that one day Britt Daniel would make it up to me.
Well folks, the day has come.
I listened to Transference non-stop all weekend through NPR's Exclusive First Listen. It was released today, so I can't stream it for free any longer. As a professional volunteer, I have $0 to put towards it. So I think YOU should buy it and then send me the songs. Do it for me. Do it for Britt Daniel.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Happy Bday, MLK
This weekend has been full of meeting new people. Friday night and Saturday morning I went to Social Justice Camp DC, which was “a free two-day event on MLK Weekend gathering individuals interested in pursuing social justice in Washington, DC through art, technology & collaboration.” In short, it was genuinely the most exciting thing that I have attended since I returned to this city. I met so many dreamy changemakers. Yeah, I said it, social justice is dreamy.
Since I moved back to D.C. I’ve been working on trying to get to know the community around me better than I did during my internship at the Enough Project. I mean, I lived here for four months but I honestly spent so much time thinking and talking about genocide and crimes against humanity in Sub Saharan Africa since it’s what I did as my “job” and since most of the people I hung out with outside of “work” were Enough people. I honestly felt something missing if I went more than, oh, 48 hours not seeing Lindsay and Meghan. Imagine my withdrawal from them now. Anyway, I digress. What I’m trying to say is that now that I’m in a position where I am working with a population that lives here, I feel like I should be an expert on the resources that are available – and there are many. So many! I want to be a part of this community. I want to be a bus rider, not just a metro rider. I’m working on it.
I found out about Social Justice Camp DC online somehow – probably through Twitter. I thought it sounded like a good opportunity for a crash course in some of the problems this community is dealing with and a fabulous way to meet people who are working tenaciously to meet these challenges in a creative, progressive way. Well, guess what? It was. I already told you, it was my jam. I am looking forward to sharing some specific stories of the people I met and the organizations I learned about. Just know this: I’m in love with this city all over again, this time maybe a little more for real than last time.
I was sad to have to leave the (un)conference early, but I had to hit the road to Harrisonburg, VA with Rachael to go to our old roommate Andy’s elopement reception! When I lived here last time it was with three Eastern Mennonite University alumni. EMU is located in Harrisonburg, which I subsequently heard ALL about. This was my first visit and I got to put a lot of faces to names and see a bit of what is so great about this little college town. The party was classy and it seemed like Andy and Ellie were having a great time, which is what was most important. Today we had breakfast at a co-op and then played Boggle and Settlers of Catan with a couple of Rachael’s EMU buddies. It was a relaxing friendtime, perfect for a rainy and cold Sunday afternoon. On the way back, to keep from falling asleep at the wheel, Rach put my iPod on shuffle all and then had me guess who was singing. She was cracking me up in the car this weekend, asking if “food justice” meant freedom for tomatoes (joke) and asking where in the world I get all my *weird* music (not a joke).
All in all, it's been a great weekend so far. Tomorrow my clinic is closed but it's a day on packing and distributing safe sex kits (condoms & ??) with my AC pals for an org called Different Avenues. I hope that you all will be thinking of MLK tomorrow and celebrating his life by giving back to your community. Need some inspiration? Check out that link from the beginning of this post or read this article in the Washington Post.
Since I moved back to D.C. I’ve been working on trying to get to know the community around me better than I did during my internship at the Enough Project. I mean, I lived here for four months but I honestly spent so much time thinking and talking about genocide and crimes against humanity in Sub Saharan Africa since it’s what I did as my “job” and since most of the people I hung out with outside of “work” were Enough people. I honestly felt something missing if I went more than, oh, 48 hours not seeing Lindsay and Meghan. Imagine my withdrawal from them now. Anyway, I digress. What I’m trying to say is that now that I’m in a position where I am working with a population that lives here, I feel like I should be an expert on the resources that are available – and there are many. So many! I want to be a part of this community. I want to be a bus rider, not just a metro rider. I’m working on it.
I found out about Social Justice Camp DC online somehow – probably through Twitter. I thought it sounded like a good opportunity for a crash course in some of the problems this community is dealing with and a fabulous way to meet people who are working tenaciously to meet these challenges in a creative, progressive way. Well, guess what? It was. I already told you, it was my jam. I am looking forward to sharing some specific stories of the people I met and the organizations I learned about. Just know this: I’m in love with this city all over again, this time maybe a little more for real than last time.
I was sad to have to leave the (un)conference early, but I had to hit the road to Harrisonburg, VA with Rachael to go to our old roommate Andy’s elopement reception! When I lived here last time it was with three Eastern Mennonite University alumni. EMU is located in Harrisonburg, which I subsequently heard ALL about. This was my first visit and I got to put a lot of faces to names and see a bit of what is so great about this little college town. The party was classy and it seemed like Andy and Ellie were having a great time, which is what was most important. Today we had breakfast at a co-op and then played Boggle and Settlers of Catan with a couple of Rachael’s EMU buddies. It was a relaxing friendtime, perfect for a rainy and cold Sunday afternoon. On the way back, to keep from falling asleep at the wheel, Rach put my iPod on shuffle all and then had me guess who was singing. She was cracking me up in the car this weekend, asking if “food justice” meant freedom for tomatoes (joke) and asking where in the world I get all my *weird* music (not a joke).
All in all, it's been a great weekend so far. Tomorrow my clinic is closed but it's a day on packing and distributing safe sex kits (condoms & ??) with my AC pals for an org called Different Avenues. I hope that you all will be thinking of MLK tomorrow and celebrating his life by giving back to your community. Need some inspiration? Check out that link from the beginning of this post or read this article in the Washington Post.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
My lunch for the week
My first meal cooked from Vegan Soul Kitchen turned out 90% successful.
I made BBQ tempeh with a cabbage, carrot and cayenne coleslaw. It would have been the jam but I found it rather salty. It called for a 1/4 cup of tamari and I substituted it with Braggs Liquid Aminos. Next time I'll probably use 1/8 cup and add a little more tomato sauce (No Salt Added).
The coleslaw was pretty easy and I think it will complement the bbq well. I was flipping through some channels before cooking looking for something to listen to and found a Book TV program on CSPAN with Jonathan Safran Foer and Frank Bruni about food sustainability, which obviously I'm interested in. It's not my raison d'être, but it's hard to avoid the subject when I'm pursuing veganism.
Speaking of what I may or may not be on this planet to do, I've been trying to keep up with what is happening in Sudan lately, mostly through reading the Enough Project blog. My friend Maggie works for them as a field researcher stationed in Juba, South Sudan. This month marks the five year anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the north and south. According to the CPA 2010 is when Sudan is supposed to hold their presidential election. Needless to say, there's a lot happening on the ground. I haven't had the nightmares about Bashir or anything though, thank goodness. It could be because my bed is facing a different direction.
I think about Sudan every day. I don't necessarily know if I'm praying about it, but I'm certainly sending lots of positive vibes, hopeful wishes, good feelings and generally anything I can. Having a close friend there now actually makes me worry even more about it. I'd appreciate it if you prayed/hoped/wished/sent good vibes for Maggie and Sudan today, too. I wish I could find a way to be in connection with activists here but I'm not sure if there's time for it.
That said, I've emailed the people at the International Rescue Committee to see what the deal is with the orientation for being an ESL volunteer. Here's to progress in the new year!
I made BBQ tempeh with a cabbage, carrot and cayenne coleslaw. It would have been the jam but I found it rather salty. It called for a 1/4 cup of tamari and I substituted it with Braggs Liquid Aminos. Next time I'll probably use 1/8 cup and add a little more tomato sauce (No Salt Added).
The coleslaw was pretty easy and I think it will complement the bbq well. I was flipping through some channels before cooking looking for something to listen to and found a Book TV program on CSPAN with Jonathan Safran Foer and Frank Bruni about food sustainability, which obviously I'm interested in. It's not my raison d'être, but it's hard to avoid the subject when I'm pursuing veganism.
Speaking of what I may or may not be on this planet to do, I've been trying to keep up with what is happening in Sudan lately, mostly through reading the Enough Project blog. My friend Maggie works for them as a field researcher stationed in Juba, South Sudan. This month marks the five year anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the north and south. According to the CPA 2010 is when Sudan is supposed to hold their presidential election. Needless to say, there's a lot happening on the ground. I haven't had the nightmares about Bashir or anything though, thank goodness. It could be because my bed is facing a different direction.
I think about Sudan every day. I don't necessarily know if I'm praying about it, but I'm certainly sending lots of positive vibes, hopeful wishes, good feelings and generally anything I can. Having a close friend there now actually makes me worry even more about it. I'd appreciate it if you prayed/hoped/wished/sent good vibes for Maggie and Sudan today, too. I wish I could find a way to be in connection with activists here but I'm not sure if there's time for it.
That said, I've emailed the people at the International Rescue Committee to see what the deal is with the orientation for being an ESL volunteer. Here's to progress in the new year!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
tweet roundup
A few things I learned on Twitter today:
1. A second grader organized a community effort to help homeless people in his neighborhood. http://bit.ly/8qvMp9
2. Petworth is getting a farmers market in the spring - http://tinyurl.com/ybkwrwv
3. The governor of my home state was in my home county today and word-vomitted some shit about getting out of politics so he could attend the diner every day. We could only hope, Mitch.
4. This job opened up... and I promptly applied for it - http://tinyurl.com/ycajw2e
5. Tomorrow Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is giving a speech on global reproductive health at 2:30pmEST http://bit.ly/8724k5
6. USAID finally has an administrator http://bit.ly/5HJ9gt
7. Of Montreal is coming to DC later this month... but it's $25. I love Kevin Barnes, and he can do it soft core if he wants, but I can't justify that.
8. If you are carrying more than three condoms at once you can be charged for prostitution in DC. http://bit.ly/7Qcfti
9. There's a relatively new sustainable foodie film that's getting lots of rave reviews called "Fresh" - http://bit.ly/4DWwrj
1. A second grader organized a community effort to help homeless people in his neighborhood. http://bit.ly/8qvMp9
2. Petworth is getting a farmers market in the spring - http://tinyurl.com/ybkwrwv
3. The governor of my home state was in my home county today and word-vomitted some shit about getting out of politics so he could attend the diner every day. We could only hope, Mitch.
4. This job opened up... and I promptly applied for it - http://tinyurl.com/ycajw2e
5. Tomorrow Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is giving a speech on global reproductive health at 2:30pmEST http://bit.ly/8724k5
6. USAID finally has an administrator http://bit.ly/5HJ9gt
7. Of Montreal is coming to DC later this month... but it's $25. I love Kevin Barnes, and he can do it soft core if he wants, but I can't justify that.
8. If you are carrying more than three condoms at once you can be charged for prostitution in DC. http://bit.ly/7Qcfti
9. There's a relatively new sustainable foodie film that's getting lots of rave reviews called "Fresh" - http://bit.ly/4DWwrj
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Sarah Palin left the national stage just as she entered it: as if she were narrating her own acid trip.
Please stop what you are doing and go make that queso. You won't regret it!
I replaced the canned tomato&chilies with one fresh chopped mater and some cayenne.
Our other components in vegan taco night included Fantastic Foods Taco Filling, Tofutti Better than Sour Cream, leafy greens, tomatillo salsa and homemade guacamole. While living with Ben Fowler I learned to make guac like I did tonight, which had two avocados, a half of a tomato, a clove or two of garlic, about 1/4 cup of red onion, lime juice, cayenne pepper and salt. It's good, but I'm open to new recipes if you know of a better way to make it.
While cooking I listened to the newest episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me. I'm a relatively new listener of Wait Wait but I adore it! I'm a sucker for topical humor. It's honestly hard for me to listen to it when I'm riding the bus or metro because I'm not very good at keeping my laughter held in. I was really sad when I learned that Carl Kasell was retiring from NPR's Morning Edition (I got into the habit of waking up to it before going into Finch's starting in like July) but I'm glad he's staying on board with this show. I mean, his impression of Sarah Palin on this episode was priceless.
With our dinner tonight Rachael and I watched 500 Days of Summer and were joined by my other roomies. I was the only sucker who shed a tear. I mean, I'm hopeless. It is a heartbreaking movie. I even knew what was coming this time but I still hurt so bad for that character and NOT just because he's adorable, fragile, and artsy. They targeted me as the type of person who would watch this movie multiple times (20-something romantic [with good taste in music] who has been in True Love and then truly fell right on out with lots of scraped knees and elbows) and they got me. Ooh, they got me.
I replaced the canned tomato&chilies with one fresh chopped mater and some cayenne.
Our other components in vegan taco night included Fantastic Foods Taco Filling, Tofutti Better than Sour Cream, leafy greens, tomatillo salsa and homemade guacamole. While living with Ben Fowler I learned to make guac like I did tonight, which had two avocados, a half of a tomato, a clove or two of garlic, about 1/4 cup of red onion, lime juice, cayenne pepper and salt. It's good, but I'm open to new recipes if you know of a better way to make it.
While cooking I listened to the newest episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me. I'm a relatively new listener of Wait Wait but I adore it! I'm a sucker for topical humor. It's honestly hard for me to listen to it when I'm riding the bus or metro because I'm not very good at keeping my laughter held in. I was really sad when I learned that Carl Kasell was retiring from NPR's Morning Edition (I got into the habit of waking up to it before going into Finch's starting in like July) but I'm glad he's staying on board with this show. I mean, his impression of Sarah Palin on this episode was priceless.
With our dinner tonight Rachael and I watched 500 Days of Summer and were joined by my other roomies. I was the only sucker who shed a tear. I mean, I'm hopeless. It is a heartbreaking movie. I even knew what was coming this time but I still hurt so bad for that character and NOT just because he's adorable, fragile, and artsy. They targeted me as the type of person who would watch this movie multiple times (20-something romantic [with good taste in music] who has been in True Love and then truly fell right on out with lots of scraped knees and elbows) and they got me. Ooh, they got me.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Vegan queso
Tonight I watched Food Inc. and King Corn. I suppose I'll dream about HFCS and sad livestock tonight.
In related news, Rachael's coming over for dinner and a movie tomorrow night. We're going to have tacos and watch 500 Days of Summer. I saw it in early August in the theater with Lindsay and Meghan in St. Louis and had a pretty strong response to it. I'm wondering if time will change that?
For the taco part of our evening I'm going to try out this vegan queso recipe I found on the Post Punk Kitchen forum:
INGREDIENTS
* 1/3 Cup Nutritional Yeast Flakes
* 1/4 Cup Flour
* 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
* Dash Garlic Powder
* Dash Chili Powder
* 1 Cup Water
* 2 Tablespoons Vegan Margarine
* 1 10-ounce Can RoTel (or any other Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained)
* 2 teaspoons prepared Yellow Mustard (Not Mustard seed or dijon, just regular yellow mustard)
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine all dry ingredients (everything from nooch to chili powder) in a pan
2. Add water to pan, turn on medium heat
3. Stir constantly and once thickened, remove from heat.
4. Add in margarine, rotel and mustard. Stir until margarine is melted.
5. Once margarine has melted, put the pan back on the heat and stir until a bit thicker.
6. Serve over chips, enchiladas or in a quesadilla with seitan and veggies.
7. Eat warm.
In related news, Rachael's coming over for dinner and a movie tomorrow night. We're going to have tacos and watch 500 Days of Summer. I saw it in early August in the theater with Lindsay and Meghan in St. Louis and had a pretty strong response to it. I'm wondering if time will change that?
For the taco part of our evening I'm going to try out this vegan queso recipe I found on the Post Punk Kitchen forum:
INGREDIENTS
* 1/3 Cup Nutritional Yeast Flakes
* 1/4 Cup Flour
* 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
* Dash Garlic Powder
* Dash Chili Powder
* 1 Cup Water
* 2 Tablespoons Vegan Margarine
* 1 10-ounce Can RoTel (or any other Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained)
* 2 teaspoons prepared Yellow Mustard (Not Mustard seed or dijon, just regular yellow mustard)
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine all dry ingredients (everything from nooch to chili powder) in a pan
2. Add water to pan, turn on medium heat
3. Stir constantly and once thickened, remove from heat.
4. Add in margarine, rotel and mustard. Stir until margarine is melted.
5. Once margarine has melted, put the pan back on the heat and stir until a bit thicker.
6. Serve over chips, enchiladas or in a quesadilla with seitan and veggies.
7. Eat warm.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Here goes nothin'!
Today I read that Joanna Newsom recently announced some early 2010 tour dates, which don't include very many U.S. tour dates but (lucky me!) does include a stop in our fair capital. Tara may or may not have been joking when she said she would prolong her spring break to stay and go with me... but I'm hoping it was a big ol' truth bomb! kaboom.
I also read this blog entry about wellness in 2010, specifically defining Hettler's Six Dimensions of Wellness (physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social and occupational) and overall encouraging people to think about balanced wellness in the new year instead of just deciding to lose weight. I feel like maybe I'm a sucker for feeling a little refreshed by the brand new calander, but my recent life changes have helped to contribute to this feeling as well. Challenges are scary but exciting. I read this article today by this woman who ended up cycling with her husband and twin boys from Alaska to Argentina that was a little cheesy but in the best, most hopeful, life-affirming way.
What I'm trying to say is that 2010 is going to be my jam and I am excited to see you in it. Wanna ride bikes? Wanna go see Joanna Newsom? Wanna help me brainstorm ideas about how to make my place of work more of a community health center? Wanna have a positive, interdependent friendship that also includes jokes and funny and/or cute youtube videos? Wanna convince someone to fund a learning tourism trip where we climb Kili and also contribute to a Tanzanian community? OK cool, let's do it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
